A bathroom is defined as a room for personal hygiene. This is generally containing a sink, toilet and bathtub or shower. We find that today’s homeowners are looking for spaces that are not only functional but also beautiful. When it comes to updated designs, there’s no better time to wake up the bathrooms in your home with a bathroom remodel.
Regardless of your passion or style, our designers can provide you with ideas to feed your imagination. Our showrooms offer elegant solutions that are distinct, and resources like our Bathroom Planner and Bathroom Visualizer are here to give you even more guidance. We offer as little as you need or as much as you want. It can be as simple as supplying you with materials all the way to so much more that will make the bathrooms in your home stand apart from others. We can show you products from simplistic and understated to bold and striking with colorful product combinations.
As with all improvements, you can do simple things for a quick update or more extensive work for a completely new space. At Countertops and Cabinetry by Design, we offer a wide range of bathroom solutions to work with the type of improvements you’re looking for.
What Things Should I Consider Prior to a Bathroom Remodel?
Think about how many times per day you enter and exit your bathroom and use your amenities. Are you the type of person who likes to soak in the tub and read after a hard day, or are you more a shower and dash kind of person? Ask yourself how many people will share this bathroom at any given time, and how those people will use the space. This question extends to whether a more private space for the toilet is required so that more than one person can use the bathroom at a time, and even whether you typically shower alone or with another person (goes to the issue of whether more space and multiple showerheads might be useful).
Bathrooms are spaces which are much more personal than kitchens, meaning you will need to think about your current age and whether your needs will change as you get older. The term universal design refers to the principle of designing bathroom features which are useful and attractive both now and later. This could include installing attractive grab bars which can double as towel racks in the future, or curbless showers which could accommodate a wheelchair if the need should arise.
Your choices for your bathroom remodel will be based on the features you need—and may need in the future—as well as your budget. If there are “extras” you simply cannot afford right now, keep them on your wish list as enhancements you might consider down the road. The master bath in a home is second only to the kitchen as a highly important space. If you have more than one bathroom, you can adjust your master bath design to some extent. On the other hand, if only one bathroom exists in your home, that bathroom must address every single need of your family.
What most everyone will agree on is that their bathroom needs more space, particularly if the home is an older one. In fact, in a home built two decades ago the “typical shower” could be as little as 3’ x 3’. Because most people spend their remodeling money in the kitchen, bathrooms are often outdated. Despite being the smallest room in the house, a full renovation can be a fairly extensive project, particularly if fixtures are going to be moved, or walls removed. A design professional from Countertops and Cabinetry by Design can help you make the necessary decisions which will allow you to have the bathroom that fits both your style and needs. Below are some considerations for your bathroom remodel:
Budget
According to experts, your bathroom renovation should equal about 5 percent of the value of your home. For a half bath or powder room, the amount should be about half that. You will want to squeeze every bit of value from your budget, as your bathroom remodel is likely an event which will not happen again for ten to twenty years.
Countertops
Bathroom vanity countertops endure a significant level of use—and abuse—so choosing the right countertop is essential. You will be looking at durability and style, as well as price. Since the bathroom vanity countertop is highly visible, the countertop you choose will contribute greatly to the overall style of the room. Solid surface countertops, sold under Corian and other brand names, come in a wide variety of colors and designs, and tend to be more budget friendly than other types of countertop materials.
Glass vanity countertops can add a contemporary flair to your bathroom space, and, while easy to install and stain-resistant, glass countertops are not scratch resistant. Quartz bathroom vanity countertops are a composite material, which is ideal for high-traffic bathrooms as it is anti-microbial, resists scratches and stains, never needs sealing or polishing, and comes in a wide range of natural stone or more vibrant tones.
Travertine bathroom vanity countertops lend a luxurious, high-end designer look to bathrooms and can come ready-to-install with an attached under-mount sink. Travertine is not stain or acid-resistant, therefore requires regular sealing and proper maintenance. Arguably, the most durable type of vanity countertop is granite, making it perfect for high-traffic master baths. Granite is extremely durable, water and stain resistant, and easy to clean. While the cost of granite is on the high end, the surface usually comes with a fifteen to twenty-year warranty.
Toilets, Sinks, Showers and Tubs
While you might think there would not be a huge number of choices for the toilet in your bathroom remodel, in fact, there are more than you might think. Under the type of toilet, you can choose gravity-feed, pressure assisted, dual-flush, double-cyclone or waterless. Styles can include a one-piece, two-piece or wall-hanging unit, and you can choose a single-flush, double-flush or touchless toilet. From this point, you will determine the color, dimensions and bowl shape you want, then the final touch will be the toilet seat. You have the additional choices of an “intelligent” toilet, an eco-friendly toilet, a urinal and/or a bidet.
When choosing a bathroom sink, you may choose an undermount sink which is installed from underneath the countertop, or a self-rimming sink, also known as a drop-in sink, which is installed above the countertop. You may also choose a wall-hung sink, a console sink, a vessel sink or a pedestal sink. A vessel sink is a free-standing sink that sits directly on the countertop or furniture on which it is mounted and can be constructed of bronze, stainless steel, china, marble, cast iron, glass or natural stone. A console sink can be freestanding or mounted to the wall.
When you choose the bathtub for your bathroom remodel, you may go with a “general purpose” bathtub, which is the type most of us are familiar with. General purpose bathtubs are usually installed in an alcove. A soaking tub is usually deeper than a standard bathtub, coming in a variety of styles and shapes. Clawfoot and vintage style free-standing tubs fall into the category of soaking tubs. A walk-in tub has a door which allows you to walk into the tub rather than climbing over the edge. Walk-in tubs are helpful for those with limited mobility or the elderly. Finally, whirlpool and air tubs offer therapeutic benefits by giving the sensation of a massage through shooting water and air bubbles. Tubs can be cast iron, acrylic, enamel-on-steel, fiberglass, composite, wood or cultured marble.
Showers can be constructed of fiberglass or can be tiled over water-resistant cement board. Digital showers are packed full of technology, and are both eco-friendly and user-friendly. Electric showers offer hot water on demand by channeling cold water from the main into the unit, which is then heated by an element within. A mixer shower mixes hot and cold water together, and a power shower is both invigorating and great for the circulation.
Faucets
The faucets you choose for your bathroom sink, tub and shower will set a certain tone for the entire bathroom. If you want a more traditional look, bronze bath faucets (antiqued or polished) are durable and easy to clean. Other types include black, brass, chrome, copper, gold, iron, nickel and stainless steel. Faucets may be center-set, wall-mounted, widespread, single-hole or vessel.
Storage
Plenty of storage is always a plus in any bathroom, so when designing your remodel, make sure to discuss the issue of storage with your Countertops and Cabinetry by Design team. We understand the importance of storage and will present you with a number of options to that end.
How Long Does It Take to Remodel a Bathroom?
Of course, the length of your bathroom remodel will depend on a number of issues, most especially whether the basic design stays the same, or whether fixtures are moved, and walls are taken out or installed. There may be demolition involved and, if so, rough carpentry, plumbing rough-in and electrical work will be completed. Tile work, cabinetry, installation of bathroom fixtures and faucets, lighting and flooring will then take place, followed by painting, touch up and clean up. Most bathroom remodels can occur within three weeks or so.
What Information Should I Have with Me Before Talking to a Professional About Remodeling My Bathroom?
Before you talk to a Cincinnati Countertops and Cabinetry by Design professional regarding your bathroom remodel, you will want to have approximate dimensions of your bathroom, an idea of whether you will be changing the actual structure or size of the bathroom, and at least a general idea of your bathroom remodel goals. Our design and installation professionals will take that information, create a plan for your bathroom remodel, as well as a cost quote. If you would like to get ahead of the game even more, reference our Bathroom Planner for additional guidance.
How Can We Help You?
If you live in the greater Cincinnati area, Montgomery, Mason, or West Chester and are contemplating a bathroom remodel, Countertops and Cabinetry by Design wants to ensure that you never have to “settle.” We want to work with you so you end up with a bathroom remodel you are completely happy with. Our goal is always to make a connection with our clients, creating trust and confidence. We want to keep your bathroom remodel as simple as possible, with construction chaos in your home kept to a minimum. Contact Countertops and Cabinetry by Design today for a comprehensive consultation.